The National Education Association (NEA) recently held a webinar advising teachers on strategies to oppose the Trump administration's stance on immigration reform. The webinar, obtained by Parents Defending Education, focused on creating a more welcoming environment for students regardless of their immigration status. Jennifer Berkshire, author of "The Education Wars," highlighted existing laws that prevent immigration agents from entering school grounds, laws which some in the Trump administration reportedly aim to change. She encouraged educators to engage in discussions and find ways to alleviate student anxieties within the school setting.

This discussion comes amidst Trump's stated focus on deporting violent criminals who entered the country illegally, prioritizing the apprehension of terrorists and cartels. Berkshire also criticized Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters for his proposal to place Bibles in every school, characterizing such actions as part of a broader trend of extremism in education.

The NEA, boasting over 3 million members, has been openly critical of the Trump administration. Its president, Rebecca S. Pringle, has previously labeled the administration as "tyrannical, deceitful, and corrupt." Chelsie Acosta, chair of the NEA's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee and an ACLU board director, expressed concern for her community and students under a second Trump term.

The webinar also included a land acknowledgment by Caitlin Ehlers, a member of the NEA’s Aspiring Educators Program, recognizing the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples.